(AN: Please tell me if it needs fixing, or if you enjoyed it. I'm considering writing a next chapter, but it'll depend on the results of this one.)

Wise men say, 'Only fools rush in', but I can't help falling in love with you.

"Claudia! Up!" Myka poked her head into Claudia's door. "Arghh." Claudia let out a sort of strangled grunt. She covered her face with her pillow. "Can't," she murmured. "Horrible headache."

Myka raised her eyebrow. She slid into the room next door to find Steve in almost the exact same state. Rolling her eyes, she got a couple of pills for Jinx and a cup of water. Waiting for the pills to take hold, she headed down stairs. Finally, after a few minutes, Steve got up, his head no longer pounding. As he looked into Claudia's room, he felt a small twinge in his heart as he looked at the girl in the mess of a bed. He pushed the feeling away. He wouldn't let that get in the way today.

"Claud, up," He called. Rolling out of bed, the tech stretched her arms. Wearing only checkered shorts and a forest green tank top, most guys would be naturally stunned, but Claudia didn't even think about it. He was like a brother to her- plus, he was gay. But yet Steve turned to look away, feeling slightly awkward.

Claudia, not seeing that small, subtle action, smiled at her friend. "Dude, what was with the horrible headache?" Steve shook his head. "No clue. Probably nothing," He returned the smile, reassuring her. As he looked at her, he felt the small twinge in his heart again. He shook it out. He couldn't think like that about her. He never should. He just... couldn't.

Steve felt bad. He didn't like to lie to Claudia, but there was a reason for his headache. He had a dream last night, and it woke him up. He spent the rest of the night thinking about it, questioning it, and hating it and himself. By the morning, his head hurt from cursing and abusing himself mentally. Normally he would tell him closest friend, Claud herself, but this time he couldn't. He would make sure she never found out. It was to personal. Mostly, though, because it was about her.

As he remembered the dream, he cursed at himself again, causing him to sub-consciously loose his smile. "Something wrong, Jinksy?" The red-head questioned him. "What?" He asked, startled from his thoughts. "Oh, sorry, nothing. Was just thinking." He flashed her a fake smile. "Hey, I'm going to head downstairs. Need food." Claudia laughed. "You sound like Pete." Claudia got a look of realization on her face. "Shoot! Save me a couple of pancakes!" Now it was Steve's turn to laugh. Heading down the stairs, he called up to her, "If he hasn't gotten to them already!"

As Claudia got ready, she thought about Steve, and how much of a great friend he was. She couldn't imagine life with him any differently. She quickly pulled on a purple and black checkered halter and dark blue skinny jeans, and grabbed her pair of black sneakers. Tying them, she considered a different relationship with him. One with a different type of love. Claudia almost laughed at herself. First, they were partners, and friends. And almost siblings! Second, the feelings would never be mutual. Third, this was STEVE she was talking about, for Christ's sake! He was gay, and they had a very special relationship!

Shaking her head, she ran down the stairs. She had pancakes to get to.